Beenie Man takes the world of hip-hop, electronica and garage rock and blends it with the subtle ambiance of reggae with “Tropical Storm.”
Still in his 20s, this Jamaican dancehall DJ firmly left his mark on the music world in 2000 by winning a Grammy for his previous major label release, “Art and Life,” which won Best Reggae Album.
On his new album, Beenie enlists a colorful spectrum of artists who keep the vibes soaring with feel-good tunes and beats to keep you movin’.
Producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes have co-written an album of memorable grooves, such as the first single “Feel It Boy,” which features Janet Jackson’s signature voice flowing beside funky electronic riffs.
The airy guitar track “Street Life,” adds a nice R & B flavor to the storm. With the melodic lyrics “On the street just ballin’/Girls have been callin’/Drop top fallin’/Brothers keep rollin’/Livin’ nothing but a street life.”
Other songs exhibit the up-tempo soul of reggae with the festive opening track “Party Hard” and the sunny warmth of “Miss L.A.P.”
And the hip-hop beats shine true in the sexual “Fresh From Yard,” which features bad girl vixen Lil’ Kim showcasing a new reggae persona.
But there are some tracks that cease to travel anywhere and feel uninspired and caught in a whirlwind of mediocrity. They are simply part of a poor attempt to cross over into other genres without bringing anything new to the industry.
The ill-fated “Gangsta Life” depicts Beenie trying to be a thug with profanity and the ludicrous lyrics “We squeeze and make cheese/Cats freeze and beg please/We seize the opportunities for our families to make Gs.”
What was the Man thinking?
Also out of place is the awful and unmotivated “Yagga Yo” with its electronic beats and hasty violins which just don’t mix as Beenie clamors “Yagga yagga whoa.”
Beenie should just stick to his roots and continue what he knows best - reggae.
Other than the occasional cloudy patches, the album manages to glisten through for Beenie Man and his crew with some decent tunes.
But unfortunately, the skies aren’t always clear.
Ben Landes
